Underpants with fly

ABSTRACT

The pants, in particular underpants, include an elastic band and fly opening. The underpants have a bib-like flap in the front region, which is undetachably connected with the underpants in the crotch area. Present in the front region of the elastic band is a VELCRO fastening strip, and a counter-VELCRO fastening strip is fastened to the bib-like flap. The VELCRO fastening strips form a detachable connection between the bib-like flap and the elastic band of the underpants. A grip band is situated on the bib-like flap in the detachable area. This grip band is oversized relative to the length of the bib-like flap, so that the user is able to easily reach with his hand between the flap and grip band, and can detach the bib-like flap from the waistband, so that the fly opening is now completely exposed, and he can grip the genitals or activate a catheter.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pants, in particular underpants, with an elastic band and fly opening.

BACKGROUND

Such underpants designed for men have been known for many years. They are functionally designed for a normal, healthy wearer, whose freedom of movement and fine motor control are intact. Handicapped individuals, such as quadriplegics, or patients in the advanced stage of multiple sclerosis, no longer have the mobility or motor control necessary when using conventional underpants. Quadriplegics face the challenge of getting dressed in a way that allows them to independently catheterize themselves even given a limited arm and hand function, as they would otherwise have to wear an indwelling catheter, being unable to themselves uncover their genitals. As a result, their health is less well protected, since the bladder can only be completely emptied via self-catheterization.

People with a handicap are significantly more stable mentally the more independence they have. They view themselves as more attractive without a urine bag on their leg.

Therefore, these individuals have an increased need for underpants with a large fly opening, which is significantly easier to use and permits sufficient access to the genitals for placing the catheter.

Known from German Utility Model DE 2020 1000 4057 U1 are underpants with a fly opening, wherein the fly is provided with a VELCRO fastener instead of buttons. However, such underpants are unsuitable for people with an impaired motor function, since access to the fly, often also referred to as codpiece or flap, must provide a sufficiently secure access in use.

Known from US 2005/0142986 are underpants with an elastic band, which has a fly and a bib-like element, wherein the bib is here joined with the elastic band on the front side and exhibits lateral textile strips, which form two loops, as it were, which in the lateral region are again fastened to the waistband of the underpants. This design is to be provided in particular for boxers or swimming trunks, and serves to keep the genitals in place. This type of solution runs counter to the purpose here envisaged. Getting into the underpants is hampered by the interior bib.

SUMMARY

Therefore, one aspect of the invention relates to underpants with an elastic band and a fly for individuals with a physical handicap, e.g., quadriplegics, which the wearer without enough strength and fine motor function can still reliably open and close.

An embodiment of the invention achieves this aspect by pants, in particular underpants of the kind mentioned at the outset, by virtue of the fact that the underpants are provided with a bib-like flap in the front region, which is undetachably connected with the underpants in the crotch area, and that the bib-like flap is provided with a VELCRO fastening strip as a hook or loop band in the detachable, upper region, and the waistband is provided with a counter-VELCRO fastening strip in the front region, so that the VELCRO fastening strips form a detachable connection between the bib-like flap and the waistband of the underpants, and wherein the bib-like flap is provided in the detachable area with a grip band, whose length is oversized relative to the width of the bib-like flap.

Additional advantageous embodiments of the subject of the invention are also disclosed, and are explained in the following description with reference to the attached drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Shown on:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the underpants according to the invention, with the bib-like flap omitted;

FIG. 2 is another front view of the same underpants, with the bib-like flap in the closed state, while

FIG. 3 presents a partial view of these underpants in a partially open state, and

FIG. 4 presents a rear view of the underpants according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The underpants according to the invention are marked 1 overall. In sewn underpants, they consist of a back portion and a front portion. Depending on the cutting pattern, these two portions are only joined together in the groin area or completely separated. Depending on the cutting pattern, the two portions are laterally sewn together, or even in the groin area 4, which can potentially also be reinforced. The two leg openings 5 are provided with a seam. The upper edge of the underpants exhibits an elastic band 2, which can vary in design. This can either be a wide elastic band, or the waistband can also be sewn as a hemstitch, and an elastic band or rubber band can be circumferentially completely inserted therein.

The front side of the underpants 1 exhibits a large fly opening 3. This fly opening is completely visible on FIG. 1, since the bib-like flap 7 to be attached is here omitted from the drawing. This fly opening 3 is extremely enlarged by comparison to conventional underpants. As a result, the genitals are completely exposed when opening the bib-like flap 7, and do not impede the wearer in activating a catheter. A VELCRO fastening strip 8, 9 is sewn to the elastic band 2. A VELCRO fastener always consists of a VELCRO fastening strip as the hook band, which is here labeled 8, and a second VELCRO fastening strip, which is most often referred to as a loop band, and is here labeled 9. In principle, of course, it is possible to sew either a hook band or loop band 9 on the waistband as the VELCRO fastening strip. Both solutions have certain advantages and disadvantages. VELCRO fastening bands are mostly not elastic, and this holds true in particular for the hook band 8. Therefore, if a hook band is sewn directly to the waistband 2, and if this waistband 2 is designed as a wide elastic band, the elasticity of the waistband is reduced to virtually the region on which no hook band is sewn. By contrast, the loop band can exhibit a certain, if also reduced, elasticity, so that a loop band would sooner have to be applied to the waistband 2 because of this. However, the hook band is most preferably applied to the waistband 2, since it is rough and scratchy, but always points away from the body, so that the individual, who might not feel this because he or she is paralyzed, can still rub themselves raw. However, if the hook band is applied to the waistband in this area as mentioned, this cannot take place, while if the hook band is applied to the bib-like flap that is directed toward the patient in the closed state, this can very well happen, since the person with limited mobility can in no way always achieve a precise closure. If the two waistbands do not run completely parallel to each other in the closed state, chafing can arise.

In order to reduce the disadvantage involving the lack of elasticity of the hook band, the hook band 8 can be sewn on in several short sections, most often referred to as batches, while a continuous loop band can be sewn on the bib-like flap 7.

This problem involving a reduced elasticity of the waistband 2 can also be ameliorated by designing the waistband as a hollow seam, and sewing the hook band onto this hollow seam. This does not detract from the function of the rubber band running in the hollow seam.

In principle, the wearer of the underpants according to the invention could, similarly to trousers, as it were, insert his hand into the fly opening and push the bib forward. The fact is that the grip band allows the bib to be opened and closed easily and quickly. For this reason, the exterior front side of the bib-like flap 7 of the underpants 1 according to the invention exhibits a grip band 10 running approximately parallel to the waistband in the closed state. This grip band 10 is longer in design than the width of the bib-like flap 7. As a result, the grip band 10 protrudes slightly from the waistband 2. This solution now also allows a handicapped person with diminished fine motor function to reach his hand between the waistband and grip band without having to grab the grip band, and can now move the flap forward and release the fly opening 3 and then self-catheterize. Catheters are available on the market today that a handicapped person can activate without needing to here have fine motor capabilities.

As evident from FIG. 4, the underpants 1 correspond completely to conventional underpants when viewed from the buttocks, and the front design of the underpants according to FIG. 2 also makes an absolutely aesthetic impression; as for any non-handicapped person, they can be decorative, for example have corresponding embroidery patterns on the grip band 10. The underpants itself can exhibit any fabric pattern or color desired.

The excess of the grip band 10 is adjusted to the wearer or size of the underpants. In adults, the excess length of the grip band relative to the width of the bib-like flap 7 measures between 1.5 and 4 cm. Less excess hampers access, and more excess may cause the grip band to hang down and become twisted, thereby again hampering access.

As relates to the present invention, underpants are to be understood not just as conventional underpants in the usual sense of the word. Conventional underpants are washable and reusable. However, diaper-type underpants with a closed waistband intended for one-time use are also available on the market, as are versions that can be used several times, and exhibit a receptacle for a replaceable, absorptive insert. Both versions can be configured according to the invention.

REFERENCE LIST

1 Underpants

2 Elastic band

3 Fly opening

4 Reinforced groin area

5 Leg opening

6 Lower, sewn, undetachable connection

7 Bib-like flap

8 VELCRO fastening strip, hook band

9 VELCRO fastening strip, loop band

10 Grip band 

What is claimed is:
 1. Pants, in particular underpants, with an elastic band and fly opening, wherein the underpants are provided with a bib-like flap in the front region, which is undetachably connected with the underpants in the crotch area, and that the bib-like flap is provided with a VELCRO fastening strip as a hook or loop band in the detachable, upper region, and the elastic band is provided with a counter-VELCRO fastening strip in the front region, so that the VELCRO fastening strips form a detachable connection between the bib-like flap and the elastic band of the underpants, and wherein the bib-like flap is provided in the detachable area with a grip band, whose length is oversized relative to the width of the bib-like flap.
 2. The underpants according to claim 1, wherein the VELCRO fastening strip fastened to the elastic band is the hook band, while the VELCRO fastening strip of the bib-like flap is the loop band.
 3. The underpants according to claim 1, wherein the elastic band is designed as a hollow seam, and a completely circumferential, elastic band is fastened therein.
 4. The underpants according to claim 1, wherein the elastic band is a wide elastic band sewn directly with the underpants, and wherein the VELCRO fastening strip fastened to the elastic band is sewn onto the elastic band.
 5. The underpants according to claim 1, wherein the VELCRO fastening strip is divided into several batches, and the individual batches are sewn on spaced apart from each other.
 6. The underpants according to claim 1, wherein the excess of grip band relative to the width of the bib-like flap measures between 1.5 and 4 cm. 